"You cannot keep it secret forever", Markus said, scrutinizing Ivar with his shrewd gaze.
"I don't intend to", Ivar replied, standing by the fireplace.
"She needs to know", Lucinda pressed, her voice laced with concern.
"And she will", Ivar grabbed the poker and busied himself poking at the embers.
"I would advise caution, she is in a delicate condition", Seamus cautioned, steepling his hands under his chin.
"She is a witch of royal bloodlines, this is nothing that she cannot handle", Markus argued, irritation clouding his features.
The low, measured tone of Mikhail's voice, immediately silenced the room, as everyone focused their attention on the ancient vampire.
"Vampires are rarely able to procreate and especially not with one, not of their own kind. It is a rare occurrence indeed, but not unheard of. She must be closely observed at all times"
"I have taken all the necessary measures", Ivar assured him.
"The Royal Physician will be in residence at the Royal Palace until the baby is born", Seamus confirmed, earning a nod of appreciation from Ivar.
"This is so exciting! We will finally have an heir!", Lucinda exclaimed, her eyes twinkling brightly with excitement.
Though he hid it well, Ivar was also filled with elation at the prospect of being a father after only a short time, even though he had always known that Serena would bear his heir. From the very first time that he had planted his seed inside her, he had felt it. She had opened her heart and body to him, willingly receiving his gift and nurturing one of her own.
"I trust all of you to keep in confidence the matter of Serena's lineage", Ivar wasn't asking, he was demanding their silence.
They all affirmed their promise of secrecy concerning Serena's family history, at least until the birth of the heir. Ivar watched, with a mixture of amusement and admiration, as Mikhail met the gaze of each Councilor, his own eyes conveying a silent threat, should any of them break their word. Although they outwardly portrayed Seamus as being in charge, Ivar knew that it was the soft-spoken Mikhail that wielded the power behind the Council.
The Lycan King, Markus, was intimidating in size and stature, but he was kind and loyal to a fault, with a wicked sense of humor. They had clashed in a battle of wills on numerous occasions, but on the battlefield, Ivar would be glad to have him fight at his side. Now as he sat in a chair, laughing and teasing Seamus, Ivar was grateful for his allegiance.
Seated on the couch, between Markus and Seamus, Lucinda chatted animatedly with both men, while dissolving into laughter at regular intervals. He loved Lucinda like his own sister, and he never doubted her loyalty, not once. He had cared for her and watched over her since she was a child, and he knew with certainty that she would lay down her life for either Serena or their child.
Finally, his gaze settled on Mikhail, who was watching him, from across the room, where he stood beside the windows. In an instant, Mikhail appeared before him, his hands clasped behind his back, as he turned to look at the others.
"It does not matter to me that she is the one, make a move and I will kill you", Ivar spoke in a hushed tone.
"There is no need for such violence", Mikhail returned with marked indifference.
"Speak for yourself", Ivar retorted, playing along.
Lucinda's voice rang out, interrupting their exchange, when she inquired after Rathgar, whose absence, they only just noticed.
"Rathgar has gone to Mordach to fetch Serena's family. They will be attending her coronation", Ivar replied smoothly, enjoying their reaction to his announcement.
Lucinda recovered first, obviously delighted that Serena would have her family with her on such an important occasion, and also while she was with child.
"I am sure that she will be overjoyed to see them again. Have you told her?",
"It is a surprise", Ivar's eyes were bright with mischief, as he looked at Lucinda.
Lucinda knew instantly that he was scheming something, Ivar never did anything without reason. As long as she had known him, she still could never tell what he was up to, unless she had a part to play.
The doors to the bed chamber opened and Serena appeared in the doorway, blinking at the bright lights in the sitting room. Ivar was already by her side, his arm encircling her waist, as he led her to the couch. Lucinda quickly moved to the end of the couch, making space for her to sit.
"Is there anything you need Your Majesty?", Lucinda softly asked.
"Forgive me My Lady, I would appreciate something to eat", Serena murmured, as a slow blush crept across her cheeks.
"Of course Your Majesty", Lucinda rose quickly from the couch and crossed the room to the door, but not without shooting a look at Ivar as she went.
As Ivar sat beside her on the couch, Mikhail quietly studied Serena, noting that she was paler than usual and her slender figure seemed somehow fuller. He could see Ivar also staring at her, with a look of grave concern and catching his eye, Mikhail gave him a brief nod before indicating to Seamus and Markus that they should leave.
When Lucinda returned with food, Serena sat with her head resting on Ivar's shoulder, as he held her against him. Sitting up, she began eating, finishing everything on the tray in no time. She seemed to be ravenous, eating more food and much faster than Ivar had seen before. When she was done, some color had returned to her face, but the faint traces of weariness still lingered.
They returned to the Royal Palace that evening, and concerned for her health, Ivar immediately sent for the Royal Physician upon their arrival. A soft knock on the doors only moments later, announced Reeve's arrival, and Ivar wasted no time in letting him in. Serena was asleep, as Reeve approached the bed and carefully examined her, taking her pulse and listening to her breathing. She stirred only briefly, looking up to see the doctor, before smiling in recognition and murmuring her greetings. Then her eyes fluttered closed as she drifted back to sleep.
Completing his examination of the Queen, Reeve motioned for Ivar to follow him outside onto the balcony, so that they might speak in private.
"The pregnancy is progressing much faster than normal, but given the circumstances, it is hardly surprising", Reeve began speaking once they were alone.
"I thought as much, but it is beginning to take its toll on her", Ivar responded while looking out at the populous citadel below.
"Yes, I can try to ease her discomfort somewhat but in truth, this will not be an easy pregnancy and the risk of losing either the child or the mother will be exceptionally high", Reeve was blunt, almost brutally so, but he needed Ivar to understand the gravity of the situation.
"I will not lose either Dr Aylard. Do I make myself clear?", Ivar's eyes bored into the doctor, leaving no doubt about his expectations of him.
"Your Majesty, this is nothing short of an anomaly, and the reason why vampires do not procreate with humans. The human body is weak, too fragile to accommodate a child of mixed parentage and you are a royal pureblood no less ", Reeve made no attempt to hide his exasperation.
"Are you questioning my decision to produce an heir?", Ivar arched one brow, as he waited for the doctor's answer.
"Yes exactly! She is only a young human girl and you're a thousand year old pureblood! You should be able to exercise more control!", Reeve heard his voice rising but he was past caring, his only concern was for the human, suffering inside the chamber.
Ivar's first instinct was to extract the man's heart from his body, and if not for his obvious concern for Serena, he would have done it without a second thought. But as things stood, he wouldn't be able to find a suitable replacement on such short notice, and he admired the man's courage and complete disregard for his life at the expense of another. If anything, the doctor's reaction assured him that Reeve would do everything possible to ensure the health of the Queen and heir.
Reeve waited with growing apprehension for the punishment that he was certain would come. Patience and forgiveness were virtues that Ivar was not known to possess, and now he prayed only for a swift and painless death. His head bowed as he awaited his fate, Reeve wondered what could be taking Ivar so long, and he risked stealing a glance at the Vampire King, only to be pleasantly surprised.
Ivar stood with a faint smile on his face, watching the young doctor, with obvious amusement.
"Your concern for my wife and child are the only reason you are still alive"
"You have my most sincere gratitude, Your Majesty, I apologize for speaking out of turn" Reeve bowed again, but lower.
"You will remain here on the third floor with Rathgar and his knights, and you will attend to the Queen as your only priority. Do you understand?", there was no question in Ivar's voice, he had issued a clear command.
"Yes Your Majesty"
"You are dismissed", Ivar turned away from him, and stood, leaning against the balustrade, his eyes staring off into the distant horizon.
Reeve was still making his way to the balcony doors when he heard Ivar's voice from behind him.
"Dr Aylard, my wife is not human and if you so much as breathe a word of this to another soul, living or otherwise, I will remove your heart from your chest. Through your testicles"